Persecution in Nicaragua: justice disqualified opposition Cristiana Chamorro for presidential elections in November

Cristiana María Chamorro Barrios, against whom it was issued an arrest warrant for an alleged money laundering case, was disqualified this Wednesday by Nicaraguan justice participate in the presidential elections in November.

The hearings of the criminal court of the fifth district of the district of Managua decided to make way “The provisional measures requested by the public prosecutor” against Chamorro Barrios, accused of the offenses of abusive management, ideological lying, both in real bankruptcy and in laundering money, property and assets.

The court ruling against the daughter of former President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro (1990-1997) is based on Article 35 of the Law on the Prevention, Investigation and Persecution of Organized Crime and the Administration of Property seized, confiscated and abandoned, explained Judge Pouvoir –similar to Daniel Ortega’s diet– in a note published by the Sandinista executive.

Prosecutor’s office called on justice to disqualify Chamorro Barrios from civil service, who is the opposition figure most likely to win the November elections, according to a survey by CID Gallup.

In addition, he asked for the maintenance of immigration, and the ban to attend certain meetings or places related to the events under investigation, for which Chamorro Barrios, according to the court decision, “Must refrain from attending any type of meetings or activities due to the seriousness of the crimes being investigated.

“Likewise, Christian citizen María Chamorro Barrios is disqualified exercise institutional and public functions in order not to fully enjoy their civil and political rights, to be in criminal investigation proceedings“According to the note.

The judge Karen Chavarria Morales, head of Managua’s ninth criminal court district, issued a search and arrest warrant for Chamorro Barrios on Wednesday, run by the NGO Fundación Violeta Barrios de Chamorro until last February, when it had to close due to the regime’s persecution.

The judge also ordered to file the proceedings and give the legal process to the judicial process. “Once apprehended and placed by order of the judicial authority, the accused will be heard», He indicated.

Nicaraguan police raided the home of the opposition presidential candidate, although there is no information yet if she was arrested.

Chamorro Barrios’ press team confirmed to EFE agency that police officers are at the home of the opposition presidential candidate, located south of Managua.

According to the Interior Ministry, the Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation, dedicated to the protection and promotion of freedom of the press and expression, “Seriously failed in its obligations to the regulatory entity, and from the analysis of the financial statements, period 2015-2019, clear indications of money laundering were obtained”, therefore “He informed the prosecution to (open) the corresponding investigation.”

In this case, the Office of the Prosecutor called to testify as witnesses about twenty journalists, including the boss of the popular station The society and former presidential candidate, the nonagenarian Fabio Gadea, and the co-owner of the chain 100% News Véronique Chavez.

Also to the writer, novelist and former vice president of Nicaragua Sergio Ramírez Market in his capacity as legal representative of the NGO Fundación Luisa Mercado, which maintained relations with the Fundación Violeta Barrios de Chamorro.

Nicaraguan opposition dismissed charges against it considering them a “farce” to prevent their participation in the elections. Nicaraguan law prohibits persons subject to open criminal proceedings from running for public office.

“The arbitrary ban on opposition leader Cristiana Chamorro reflects Ortega’s fear of free and fair elections. Nicaraguans deserve a true democracy ”, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on his Twitter account.

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS), for its part, rejected the disqualification of Cristiana Chamorro’s political candidacy in Nicaragua. “Nicaragua is heading towards the worst possible elections, and this new attack on democracy verified yesterday makes it even more impossible to hold free, fair and transparent elections in the country.”Luis Almagro’s office said in a statement.

“Actions like this take away all political credibility from the government and the organizers of the electoral process,” he added. Almagro recalled that “the politicized treatment of justice and the de facto ban on candidates” violate the international agreements signed by Nicaragua, such as the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the OAS Charter.

With information from EFE and AFP

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